Lesson 8.

Introduction to Polynomial
Functions
 Learning Competency

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able

to illustrate polynomial functions. (M10AL-Ila-1).
 Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to

do the following:

● Properly identify polynomial functions.

● Correctly evaluate a polynomial function at a
specified value of the variable.
● Correctly find the domain and range of a
polynomial function.
In the previous lessons, you have
learned that real life situations
can be illustrated using
functions.
For instance, the length of an
object can be illustrated using a
linear function while the area of
a plane figure such as a circle or
a rectangle can be presented
using a quadratic function.
How about if you are going to
illustrate a volume or a surface
area? What kind of function are
you going to use?
In this scenario, you can use more complex kind of functions,
such as a cubic function. The different kinds of functions that
you can use in illustrating real life situations are called
polynomial functions.

In this lesson, you will learn about polynomial functions and

how it is used in real life situations.
 Essential Questions

• How will you identify polynomial functions?

• How will you evaluate a polynomial function at a specified

value of the variable?

• How will you find the domain and range of a polynomial

function?
 Learn about It!

Polynomial Function

This is a function that can be written in the form , where (the

highest exponent of the variable) is a nonnegative integer
known as the degree, and , , …, (the coefficients of the
variables) are real numbers.
 Learn about It!

Polynomial Function

The term is the leading term of the polynomial function,

where is the leading coefficient, while (the term with no
variable) is the constant term.

The table on the next slide shows some examples of

polynomial functions and their degrees.
 Learn about It!

Polynomial Function
Polynomial Function Degree Name
Constant Function
Linear Function
Quadratic Function
Cubic Function
Quartic Function
 Learn about It!

Polynomial Function
Polynomial Function Degree Name
Quintic Function
A polynomial
function of degree
 Learn about It!

Polynomial Function

Example:
In the polynomial function , the leading term is , the leading
coefficient is , and the constant term is .
 Learn about It!

Standard Form of a Polynomial Function

A polynomial function is in standard form if it is written in

descending powers of the independent variable.

Example:
The standard form fo the polynomial function is .
 Learn about It!

Domain of a Polynomial Function

This is a set of admissible -values of the polynomial function.

The domain of any polynomial function is the set of real
numbers.
 Learn about It!

Domain of a Polynomial Function

Example:
The domain of the polynomial functions and is the set of real
numbers.

In set notation, . In interval notation, .

 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

This is a set of admissible -values of the polynomial function.

While the domain of any polynomial function is the set of real
numbers, the range depends on the degree and the sign of the
leading coefficient.
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Sign of Leading
Degree Range
Coefficient
Odd
Odd
Even
Even
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Example:
Find the range of .
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Example:
The function is quadratic of the form . In this case, , , and .
Since is positive, the graph of the function opens upward, and
the vertex is at the minimum. To determine the minimum
value, let us solve for the -value of the vertex, which is .
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Example:
The formula for is . Using , , and , let us solve for .
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Example:
 Learn about It!

Range of a Polynomial Function

Example:
Thus, the range is in set notation and in interval notation.
 Learn about It!

Limiting Behavior of Polynomials

The limiting behavior of a polynomial function describes what

happens to the function as approaches positive or negative
infinity. It is determined by the parity (the property of being
odd or even) of the degree of the polynomial, as well as the
sign of its leading term.
 Learn about It!

Limiting Behavior of Polynomials

The following table summarizes the limiting behavior of

polynomials (excepts for constant functions).

Sign of the Leading Term of

Parity of the
Degree of

Even as as
as as
 Try it!Practice
Let’s

Example 1: Determine which of the following are polynomial

functions and write them in standard form.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Determine which of the following are polynomial

functions and write them in standard form.

Solution:
a. The function is a constant function. A constant function is
a polynomial function of degree zero. It is already in
standard form.

b. The function is not a polynomial function because there is

a variable under the radical sign.
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Determine which of the following are polynomial

functions and write them in standard form.

Solution:
c. The function is a polynomial function of degree 4. In
standard form, it is written as
.

d. The function is not a polynomial function but a

polynomial equation.
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Determine which of the following are polynomial

functions and write them in standard form.

Solution:
e. The function is not a polynomial function because there is
a variable in the exponent.

f. The function is not a polynomial function because there is

a variable in the denominator.
 Try it!Practice
Let’s

Example 2: Evaluate the polynomial function

at .
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Evaluate the polynomial function

at .
Solution:
1. Substitute to .
 
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Evaluate the polynomial function

at .
Solution:
2. Substitute to .
 
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Evaluate the polynomial function

at .
Solution:
3. Substitute to .
 
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Evaluate the polynomial function

at .
Solution:
Thus, the values of at are , , and , respectively.
 Try It!

Individual Practice:

1. Find the values of in the polynomial function

when .

2. Find the domain and range of the polynomial function

.
 Try It!

Group Practice: To be done in groups of five

A subdivision water tank is m long, m wide and m high.

Express the volume of the tank as a polynomial function in
standard form in terms of and then find the volume when.
 Key Points

● A polynomial function is a function that can be written in

the form , where (the highest exponent of the variable) is
a nonnegative integer known as the degree of the
polynomial and , , …, (the coefficients of the variable) are
real numbers.
o The term , where is the leading coefficient, is the
leading term of the polynomial function while is the
constant term.
 Key Points

● A polynomial function is in standard form if it is written

in descending powers of the independent variable.

● The domain of a polynomial function is the set of

admissible -values of the polynomial function. The
domain of any polynomial function is the set of real
numbers.
 Key Points

● The range of a polynomial function is the set of

admissible -values of the polynomial function. While the
domain of any polynomial function is the set of real
numbers, the range depends on the degree and the sign
of the leading coefficient.
 Bibliography

“Basic knowledge of polynomial functions.” Math Planet. Retrieved 26 April 2019 from
https://bit.ly/2L1JksL
  
Khan, Salman. “Even & odd polynomials.” Khan Academy. Retrieved 26 April 2019 from
https://bit.ly/2VpU7Rp
 
Sousa, James. “Read: Define and Identify Polynomial Functions.” Lumen Learning. Retrieved 26 April
2019 from https://bit.ly/2IWkRTa